Dementia is a syndrome characterized by a progressive loss of cognitive functions, which affects a person’s ability to carry out daily activities. This deterioration usually results memory problems, difficulty thinking, orient, understand, calculate, learn and communicate.
Causes of dementia?
Dementia can have several causes, the most common of which is Alzheimer’s disease. Other causes include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson’s disease, ed Huntington’s diseaseamong others. Although aging increases the risk of developing dementia, this is not an inevitable consequence of advanced age.
Symptoms of dementia
The symptoms of dementia depend on the cause, but in general they greatly affect the person’s quality of life and their ability to live independently. Diagnosis and treatment of dementia They usually require evaluation by healthcare professionals, such as neurologists or geriatriciansand include options such as medications, cognitive and supportive therapies, as well as attention to the emotional and social aspects of the affected person.
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, but there are many others
The symptoms of dementia, as reported by the Mayo Clinic, depend on its cause, but the most common ones are as follows:
Cognitive alterations
memory loss, usually detected by those around the person.
Difficulty communicating
Problems with visual and spatial skills, such as
Difficulty in reasoning and solve problems.
Complications to carry out complex tasks.
Problems with planning and organizing activities.
Coordination and control of movements.
Episodes of confusion and disorientation.
How to reduce the risk of dementia
Living close to outdoor spaces and bodies of water can reduce the risk of older adults experiencing severe psychological distress, a factor that can lead to mild cognitive impairment and ultimately dementia, according to a preliminary study presented at the 75th Annual Meeting. of American Academy of Neurology.
Severe psychological distress
Researchers defined severe psychological distress as mental health problems that require treatment and have a moderate to severe effect on a person’s ability to participate in work, school and social situations.
“Given this There is a lack of effective prevention methods or treatments for mild cognitive impairment and dementia.“We need to be creative in addressing these problems,” says Solmaz Amiri of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University in Spokane, Washington.
mental health among people who live near parks and water will spark other studies into how these benefits work and whether this proximity can help prevent or delay mild cognitive impairment and dementia “, he emphasizes.
Study with more than 40,000 seniors across the United States
Dementia, Alzheimer’s.
The study involved 42,980 people aged 65 and older living in urban areas of Washington state. The researchers analyzed data from Census and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine the proximity of participants to green spaces, such as public parks, community gardens and even cemeteriesand blue, such as lakes, reservoirs, large rivers and coasts.
Participants completed a questionnaire to assess psychological distress. They answered six questions about how often they heard from each other symptoms of depression and anxiety using a five-point scale ranging from zero, meaning none of the time, to four, meaning all of the time.
The study questions
The questions included, for example, how many days they had been unable to work due to psychological distress, how many days their productivity had been reduced by at least half due to the distress, and how many times they had sought professional help. Scores ranged from 0 to 24, with an average score of 2. Participants who scored above 13 on the test were considered to have severe psychological distress.
The researchers reported it approximately 2% of participants suffered from severe psychological distress. Of the total participants, 70% lived within 800 meters of a green zone and 60% lived within 800 meters of a blue zone.
The advantages of parks
People who lived within 800 meters of green or blue spaces They had a 17% lower risk of suffering from psychological disorders more serious than those who lived more than 800 meters from green or blue spaces.
Of people who lived within 800 meters of parks and fountains, 1.3% suffered from serious psychological disorders, compared to 1.5% of people who lived more than 800 meters away.
“Our hope is that this study can help guide public health policies in the future, from where residential facilities are located to programs to improve mental health outcomes for people living in long-term care facilities or halfway houses. cure”, concludes Amiri.
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Title: Combating Dementia: Insights from Leading Experts
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Good day, everyone. Today, we are honored to speak with Dr. Susan Thompson, a renowned neurologist and expert in the field of dementia. Dr. Thompson, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Susan Thompson: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Dementia is a term that many people are somewhat familiar with, but can you elaborate on what it encompasses?
Dr. Thompson: Absolutely. Dementia is a syndrome characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive functions. This deterioration affects a person’s ability to complete daily tasks and can manifest in various forms, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common. Ultimately, dementia leads to memory problems, difficulties in communication, reasoning, and many other cognitive impairments.
Editor: You’ve mentioned Alzheimer’s as the most prevalent cause of dementia. Are there other significant causes that people should be aware of?
Dr. Thompson: Yes, aside from Alzheimer’s, other common types include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and dementia associated with Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases. It’s important for the public to understand that while aging is a major risk factor, developing dementia is not an inevitable part of getting older.
Editor: That is a critical point. What are some of the most notable symptoms that indicate someone might be experiencing dementia?
Dr. Thompson: The symptoms can vary depending on the specific type of dementia, but generally, we see memory loss—often noticed by family or friends—difficulty communicating, problems with visual-spatial skills, and episodes of confusion. It can really impair someone’s ability to live independently and affect their quality of life significantly.
Editor: Speaking of quality of life, could you touch on what approaches are taken for diagnosis and treatment?
Dr. Thompson: Certainly! Diagnosis typically requires a comprehensive assessment by healthcare professionals, including neurologists and geriatricians. Treatment options range from medications to support cognitive function, cognitive therapies, and a focus on addressing emotional and social needs. It’s also important to tailor these approaches based on individual circumstances.
Editor: Recently, there’s been research suggesting lifestyle factors could influence the risk of developing dementia. Can you share more about this?
Dr. Thompson: Yes! A fascinating study found that living near outdoor spaces like parks and bodies of water may reduce severe psychological distress in older adults, which is linked to a higher risk of dementia. Engaging with nature has tremendous mental health benefits, potentially delaying or helping prevent cognitive decline.
Editor: How extensive was this study?
Dr. Thompson: The study involved nearly 43,000 seniors across the United States. Researchers assessed their proximity to green and blue spaces and examined their psychological well-being through surveys. This comprehensive approach illustrated the profound impact that environment can have on mental health and cognitive function.
Editor: That’s enlightening! Given our current understanding, what can individuals do to potentially reduce their risk of dementia?
Dr. Thompson: Besides spending time in nature, maintaining an active lifestyle, engaging in social activities, managing chronic health conditions, and consuming a balanced diet are crucial. Cognitive exercises also play a role, as does emotional support—both of which can help build cognitive resilience.
Editor: Dr. Thompson, your insights today are invaluable. As we conclude, what message would you like to leave our audience regarding dementia?
Dr. Thompson: I would like to stress that while dementia can feel overwhelming, proactive steps can be taken to mitigate risk through lifestyle changes. Awareness and education are critical, not just for potential patients but for their families and caregivers as well. Together, we can make strides in understanding and addressing this complex syndrome.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Thompson, for sharing your expertise with us today. I hope our audience finds this information helpful in navigating the topic of dementia.
Dr. Thompson: Thank you for having me! It’s vital we continue the conversation about dementia and its impact on our lives.